Brewster, N.Y. – 03/17/2014 – Joe Devery, President of the Jefferson Village Owners Club, presented Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) with a signed photo from the members of the Jefferson Village Veterans Club in Yorktown Heights to thank Senator Ball for his efforts to honor local veterans.

“I have received countless phone calls, emails, letters and faxes from parents, teachers, students and community members that are very concerned about the Common Core standards. Let’s be very clear, the Board of Regents played a direct role in the implementation of this uncommon disaster. The New York State Legislature had a unique opportunity to vote against the incumbents that are partly responsible for this disaster. I am disappointed that the Assembly Majority chose party politics over our education system and ultimately our children. It is my hope that the Board of Regents will listen to our parents, students and educators to make the appropriate changes to fix Common Core and get our education system on the right track. Education is not about teaching to the test and it should never become a one size fits all endeavor,” said Senator Greg Ball.

Let’s end the policy through press release and begin the hard work of uniting both communities by properly addressing the issue, without needlessly creating greater divisions. Let it be clear, Mount Vernon is equally responsible for the toxic environment that was unfortunately created. Yet unlike Mahopac, Mount Vernon has yet to take action to hold their fan base and students accountable.

Created and hosted by Senator Ball, The Women Of Distinction Hall of Fame was designed to honor outstanding women from throughout the 40th Senate District. Towns, villages and cities district-wide are currently in the process of selecting their nominees and will eventually nominate one person from each town.

Two state lawmakers have introduced a bill that would prohibit high-risk sex offenders from living within 1,500 feet of their victims after The Journal News highlighted a case in Carmel, where a violent sex offender was permitted to move back next door to a girl he sexually assaulted.

MAHOPAC – State Sen. Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) is teaming up with Operation Prom to help students attend the prom by offering designer prom dresses for only $1. The prom dress sale will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on April 6 at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor.

Ball is pushing Senate Bill 6613 that would ban the possession and harboring of killer whales in New York State aquariums and sea parks. The bill has gained support of John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld killer whale trainer and star of the documentary “Blackfish,” as well as the support from Donald Rapier, a high school student at Chicago’s Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy, according to a release from Ball’s office.

Albany, N.Y. – 03/12/2014 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) and Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D – Bayside) have introduced legislation (S6778) that would prohibit level two and level three sex offenders from residing within 1,500 feet of the residence of a victim of their abuse.

Albany, N.Y. – 03/12/2014 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson), Chairman of the New York State Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, issued the following statement on the explosion and collapse of a building in Harlem.

Mahopac, N.Y. – 03/11/2014 – With prom season right around the corner, Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) is teaming up with Operation PROM to help students attend prom by offering designer prom dresses for only $1. The prom dress sale will take place on Sunday, April 6th from noon to 4 PM at Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac, NY. Senator Greg Ball hosted the first public planning meeting on Friday night.

Albany, N.Y. – 03/10/2014 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) is pushing to pass a piece of legislation (S6613) that would ban the possession and harboring of killer whales in New York State aquariums and sea parks. Since it was introduced, the bill has gained support of John Hargrove, a former SeaWorld killer whale trainer and star of the documentary “Blackfish” as well as the support from Donald Rapier, a high school student at Chicago’s Robert Lindblom Math & Science Academy.

Let’s end the policy through press release and begin the hard work of uniting both communities by properly addressing the issue, without needlessly creating greater divisions. Let it be clear, Mount Vernon is equally responsible for the toxic environment that was unfortunately created. Yet unlike Mahopac, Mount Vernon has yet to take action to hold their fan base and students accountable.

Brewster, N.Y. – 03/08/2014 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) issued the following statement regarding the New York State Comptroller’s audit of the Putnam County Industrial Development Agency (PCIDA) from January 1, 2012 — May 3, 2013.

ALBANY, N.Y. – In recognition of National Lymphedema Awareness Day, Mahopac second grader Connor Looby was honored this week with a New York State Senate resolution recognizing his outstanding support and fundraising efforts for lymphedema awareness.